here’s a former Yellowstone character floating around in the background of Dutton Ranch—and no, it’s not John Dutton. According to a growing fan theory about the Yellowstone spin-off series, one of Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) former ranch hands on the Yellowstone Ranch may know some important information about their new rivals. The couple just needs to remember to ask.
The theory began to kick up after episode 3, when Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening) phoned a shady voice who was identified via closed captioning as “Mariano Reyes.” The call implied that Beulah is working with the Mexican cartels—a favorite plot device for executive producer Taylor Sheridan—especially since her son, Joaquin Reyes (Juan Pablo Raba), shares the same last name. But after the episode aired, fans found an even closer connection.
In Yellowstone season 2, a new ranch hand arrived from Texas named Walker (Ryan Bingham), whom Rip picks up after he’s released from prison. Walker later tells another cowboy in the bunkhouse, whose name is literally Cowboy, that the violence of the Yellowstone operation reminds him of a ranch he used to work for in Texas before he left. “Reminds me of that place down on the border,” he says. “F**king drug runners, militia, and all that shit.”
Despite Walker leaving to travel the professional rodeo circuit at the end of Yellowstone, Rip mentions in Dutton Ranch that Walker gave him the tip about the Rio Paloma ranch for sale. So, as the fan theory suggests, it’s possible that Walker’s former ranch in Texas was the Jacksons’ 10 Petal ranch.
Audiences may find out by the time Dutton Ranch season 1 comes to an end. In the latest episode, Rip and Beth both go to work for the Jacksons after they were forced to slaughter their entire herd of cattle. They need the money, but they also know that it’s best to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. Perhaps they’ll even learn about Walker’s potential connection to the 10 Petal while they’re snooping around for ways to take the Jacksons down.
Still, not everyone is so convinced. As much as it would make for a great cameo for Walker to return in an episode of Dutton Ranch, the actor hasn’t shown any signs of returning. Plus, as one fan mentioned on the r/DuttonRanchTVSeries Reddit thread, “This is a great theory, but I don’t give the writers that much credit to remember what Walker said.”
You can always count on the Yellowstone fans, though. Even if the theory doesn’t turn out to be true, it’s good enough to be added in retroactively should Walker ever return.